Meet Melissa From, the CEO and President of Calgary Food Bank. She has worked as a leader and advocate in the non-profit sector for nearly 2 decades. Melissa currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Alberta Mentoring Partnership and served as a subject matter expert for the Alberta Education curriculum design.
Melissa believes in the boundless potential of the city of Calgary and its citizens. But she knows that potential can only be reached when we are all thriving. She is committed to making certain that all everyone in our city has access to the food they need to ensure that they can contribute in their most meaningful way to our community. Together, this is how we build a strong city.
What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
When I was 15, a friend helped me get a job at a local truck stop. I started as a dishwasher and then moved up to a server. It taught me some basic, fundamental lessons, like the importance of showing up on time, working hard, and being polite. But perhaps more importantly, it pushed me out of my comfort zone. I was a shy kid, and working as a server taught me how to make small talk with strangers and find ways to serve people well.
If you think back on leaders who inspired you in your career or leadership style, who were they and why were they inspiring?
I’ve had the privilege of working with some phenomenal leaders throughout my career, even as a teenager, during my time as a waitress at The Virden Central Hotel and Restaurant in Manitoba, which was run by Val Cockbill. One night, we were incredibly busy and short-staffed. I offered to go wash the dishes so that Val, as the owner, could meet with customers and serve the tables. But she refused, saying, “You’re a new employee, and I hired you to be out front.” She then went to wash the dishes herself.
That moment set the tone for me: there is no job beneath the owner or CEO. I want my staff to know that I am not superior to them and that no job is beneath me.
Another great leader I had was Cheryl Hamelin at the University of Saskatchewan. She was an exceptional people leader, with the perfect balance of being both a cheerleader and someone who could provide “course correction” when necessary. She always used her own personal stories to help me relate and learn, making her leadership both impactful and personal.
What motivates you every day?
There are two things that keep me going. First, the work we do is incredibly important—we feed families. I joined the Calgary Food Bank 18 months ago, right at the peak of the cost of living crisis, when we saw an increase from 400 to 700 households in just four months. Second, I’m stubbornly competitive. When I look at food banks in other major cities, both here and south of the border, I’m inspired to leverage what they’re doing well and then add our own unique spin to make it even better. For example, we’ve introduced a click-and-collect system in 12 different languages, where clients can select what they need for the week. Our staff then packs the hampers for them.
What do you want to change in the world and why?
Food security for all is, of course, a priority. But beyond that, it's important to recognize that non-profits make up 8% of the country’s GDP. Unfortunately, the non-profit sector doesn’t always receive the respect it deserves. Many organizations, like ours, are incredibly well run, and I’m a strong advocate for business excellence within our sector. I am also deeply passionate about developing strong, capable leaders for the future.
What is the purpose and vision of Calgary Food Bank? And how has being clear about your purpose and vision benefited you and your company?
To make food accessible to everyone in our city.
When I joined as the new CEO of the Calgary Food Bank, I was immediately asked about my vision on day one. After six months, we launched a strategic planning process that included consultative interviews and roundtable sessions with our clients, supporters, and staff. This collaborative approach allowed us to review and confirm the organization’s strategy. We are deeply community-focused and committed to achieving operational excellence in everything we do.
What one piece of advice would you give other CEOs and leaders regarding leading with purpose?
Having your own set of principles is crucial to ensure you're aligned with your purpose and direction. At the same time, external input is equally important to maintain relevance - helping you determine what you should and shouldn’t be doing. This balance significantly enhances staff engagement and drives alignment across the organization.
What one question would you like to ask other purpose-led CEOs?
What are your three best tips for working effectively with your board?
One question from the CEO we interviewed before you, Eddie Obeliunas, Founder and CEO, Exactus Energy.
How do you prioritize tasks to focus on those that will have the greatest impact while avoiding distractions from less important, less strategic work? And then how do you stick with those priorities?
Dr. Elizabeth Cannon, former President of the University of Calgary, shared a valuable practice: when she finds herself getting overwhelmed and over booked, she makes a list of all the tasks and meetings on her schedule. She then reviews the list to identify items that only she can do versus those that can be delegated to others in the organization. By passing these responsibilities on, she not only lightens her own workload but also fosters growth within her team. This has helped me to realize that if I keep doing those things then I’m stunting their development.
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